“The partner we cooperate with is a Seignior, the local dominator who controls many mines. Many investors are his partners, including people from Country K, Country J, and Country B.
He agreed to sign the contract with us before, but he changed his mind the next day for unknown reasons. It must be Zhou’s tricks.” Janie said.
“Seignior? The feudal society?” Tate asked with curiosity.
“No. It’s complicated.” Janie explained. “The Seigniors are the most potent Chiefs in Gurth, who people call like this.
Many countries in Africa keep such a system. The Seignior is the ruler in his place, unable to decide everything. They can also appoint the chiefs themselves to help them control the people.
They have their own palaces, but the key points making them so powerful are their armies, though less than the official military, enough to start a civil war.”
“Strange system. That’s just why the civil wars can’t be stopped here. They will never get the peace as long as the Seigniors refuse to give up their armies.” Josh analyzed.
He was a soldier, so he knew much about this situation.
“Yeah. Seignior Salbargilar has many conflicts with the two other Seigniors beside him, so they often start the little war.” Janie nodded.
Their words reminded Chase of the warlords in Country M.
He thought the situation in Gurth must be the same as it in Country M.
“The people here are suffering so much! The war is a nightmare for them.” Tate shook his head with sympathy. He didn’t expect there were still people suffering the threat of the war in today’s world.
“Sure enough. People are always the one who suffers most in the war.” Janie nodded.
“You’re right. The people suffer most, no matter which Seignior wins.” Josh agreed.
“There must be the Consulate of our country there,” Chase asked.
“Yes. It’s in the Capital of this country. Do you want to find them?” Janie answered.
“It will be better to get their help. Those Seigniors always prefer to cooperate with the official.” Chase explained.
He knew the high risk there for investment. Many investors disinvested as the war started, making those Seigniors worried.
Thus they preferred much to sign the contract under the official’s witness.
Janie knew Chase’s meaning.
She saw many investors disinvest, as well.
“So, should we go to the Consulate tomorrow first?” Janie asked.
“No. We have to talk with the Seignior first.” Chase decided to meet the Seignior first.
“Oh. I heard a rare earth mine has been found there, so those investors from Country K and Country J may come for that.” Janie suddenly said.
“Rare earth mine? How big?” Chase frowned.
Rare earth was much more valuable for him.
It was the essential material for Jay Sis’s development.
“I don’t know. I’m going to investigate it tomorrow.” Janie didn’t care much about the rare earth.
Janie was only the manager in KT Group, so she was not qualified to know Jay Sis’s situation.
So she didn’t know the rare company Chase had founded in City Z.
As they approached RM City, they saw the Gothic palace standing on the green grassland, as big as a castle.
Chase could see the palace gate, which was under the bright lights at midnight, and where the armored guards stood.
“It’s just Salbar’s palace, the grandest structure in RM City, and the people’s spiritual symbol in WT Province. Salbar will choose a rani every year, so all the young girls in WT Province have to wait for his pick.” Janie said.
“He is good at enjoying.” Tate admired.
“You even won’t like the girl here. No need to admire.” Josh teased.
“Maybe not.” Tate raised his eyebrows and laughed.
“Mr. Lin. Should we find one for you?” Janie smiled.
Chase shared the shares of KT Group to Phil and the Three Lions, so Tate was rich enough though he was just a driver for Chase.
“Forget it. I think those girls are ugly.” Tate laughed.
RM City was the provincial capital of WT Province, with two million people in it.
They got to RM City, and then Janie led Chase to a hotel managed by people from Country B.
Though civil wars were frequent there, no soldiers broke into the hotel of Country B because Gurth used to be Country B’s colony.
Thus the investors always liked to live there.
As Chase got off the car, he saw three off-road vehicles stop there, and then a group of drunkards got off the vehicles. They were people from Country K, judged from their languages.
They glanced at Chase and his fellows and became indecent as they saw Janie.